Owen Gun Bayonet.... help needed

[Son]

Anybody out there that has an Owen bayonet in their collection, could you please let me know what markings are on it. I'm guessing the Commonwealth system would see it with a type or pattern marking, year of make, place of make, bend test marking and acceptence/ proof marks.

These bayonets were made from cut-down P07 bayonets and new-made to the '07 pattern, only with a ten inch blade and a 5 1/2" fuller. I've read the Owen was set up the same as the No1 MkIII* LE as far as position and design of the mounts. Apparently the bayonets became known as multi purpose and were issued to rifles in Korea.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have one on the way which may or may not "fit the mould". Just after an idea as to if they were all identical or not.

Information

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[Warren]

Brad: I'll send you a picture of one...now to find it.

[Lance]

Brad

I have 3 Owens, a 5/45 made at Orange with Slaz '43 & '44 grips, a '52/53 Lithgow (marked MA 53 on one side and '52 on the other) with '52 Slaz grips; and a Mk I/I made at Orange 10/44 with Slaz '44 grips. If you need pic's let me know.

Lance

[Son]

Brad: I'll send you a picture of one...now to find it.

Brad

I have 3 Owens, a 5/45 made at Orange with Slaz '43 & '44 grips, a '52/53 Lithgow (marked MA 53 on one side and '52 on the other) with '52 Slaz grips; and a Mk I/I made at Orange 10/44 with Slaz '44 grips. If you need pic's let me know.

Lance

Thanks gentlemen. I found an old article on them that provided a rudimentry description of the different models. Once the one I have bought arrives (hopefully soon) I'll see if it differs from the info I have and go from there. May need pics of both sides of as many blades as I can find.

I'll post pics here when it arrives and start some discussion.

Cheers,
Brad.

[Son]

Ok, it's arrived and I'm no better off, really. I have tried to take pictures of both sides but what markings are there are so feint that they don't show up. Here'a a description of what I can see....

Ricasso, RHS marked very feint "X" (bend test mark) and "MA".
LHS marked with an "L" over arrow Lithgow inspection mark and broad arrow.

Pommel has "OA" (Orange) on the back.

I've seen a few pics of a 3 '45 dated one with all markings by the book eg: MA over 1907 over 1. Could I take you up on the offer of pics of yours Warren and Lance. This one is nothing like the markings I've seen.

TIA, Brad.

[Lance]

Greetings Brad

Your bayonet sounds similar to the 1953 Owens run at Lithgow. My markings on one side are tough to see and photograph, sorry in advance. On one side is the bending "X" with "MA" over "53" (very faint). On the other is "0" over a broad arrow over a "3" with a larger broad arrow beside it and then a "52". Both of my grips are SLAZ52.

[Son]

Greetings Brad

Your bayonet sounds similar to the 1953 Owens run at Lithgow. My markings on one side are tough to see and photograph, sorry in advance. On one side is the bending "X" with "MA" over "53" (very faint). On the other is "0" over a broad arrow over a "3" with a larger broad arrow beside it and then a "52". Both of my grips are SLAZ52.

Almost spot on, mate. On the RHS, the "X MA" are closer to the crosspiece and start quite close to the edge of the ricasso. The other side inspection mark is definately topped with the L for Lithgow and I've found the "52" where yours is. I'm guessing this one got a pommel from the Orange production line, hence the OA on it.

Thanks heaps. I also found out they became known as a general purpose bayonet and were made available for issue for the SMLE in Korea.

wonder what else I can find out....

[wotter]

Hello Son,
You may know this already, but there seemed to be two 'styles' of the 10 inch Owen bayonet made.
There was a 'slimmer' version. In the photo,the top Owen is a '53 which has a slim end, and has a a factory edge which is similar to what you see on some Aussie refurb bayonets.
The second is a 11' 44 bayonet.
It was a working bayonet; it was used during the war and is sharpened.
However it seems not to have such a pointy end on it.
The third is a 10 '44 Mk1/1 version.

[Son]

Wouldn't you know it, As soon as the first one arrived another became available- missed out on it but then another came up and another after that. I ended up getting one of each, the WW2 dated OA 10 inch blade, the WW2 converted 8 inch blade and a 50's prod MA 10 inch blade. Thanks for the info, fellows. Much appreciated. Wotter, the first thing I noticed about the Lithgow blade is it's slimmer shape. Like yours, my other two look to have been used for their intended purpose...

[J. Savoie]

Too bad I found this thread too late. I know that there are still LOTS of things military from WWII available in France and Belgium. If ever you need something again, be it Aussie, British, American or Canadian of whatever the origin, try these forums (I could even translate for you):

Forum DDay-Overlord.com - Jour J - 6 juin 1944 (mainly oriented on D-Day)

and


maquisards de france


Hope it will help you all to find thet hard to find item that you need.

J. Savoie